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About Montana

Upper Missouri River

Welcome to Montana

Welcome to Montana

Montana...Big Sky, Big Mountains, Big Open. Although many people think Montana in terms of the rounded valleys, jagged peaks, and sparkling lakes of Glacier National Park, the state holds so much more, including huge expanses of sage flats, gumbo badlands, and desert-like plains, where the buffalo once roamed in vast, dark herds. On Montana's public lands, you can find paleontological, archeological, and historical sites aplenty, places where dinosaurs roamed and shallow oceans covered the land; where tribes drove buffalo off cliffs two thousand years ago; where Lewis and Clark moved through an unknown land; and where whites built homes and towns, hoping to reap great wealth, only to move on in a few years, when the ore or water ran out. But whether you're a history buff, an avid trout fisherman, a daredevil skier, a big game hunter in search of trophy elk, a birdwatcher stalking the wetlands, or a wilderness lover headed into the backcountry, you are always faced with the fact that Montana is not only bigger, but wilder and more majestic than any of us can comprehend.

Take some time to explore the wonders of Montana here at the Montana Public Lands Information Center. You will discover a wealth of detailed information about where to go and what to do while touring the public lands of this state.

In our Maps & Books section, you can purchase books, maps, and other educational items to make your virtual or real visit truly rewarding. To begin your journey, click on Recreation Search.

If you have any questions please email the PLIC staff. For information on lodging, museums, tribal lands, and commercial attractions or services, contact the Montana Department of Tourism. For information about hunting and fishing regulations and licensing information for Montana, please contact Montana Fish, Wildlife, and Parks.